The Grass Doctor

Can I put down fertilizer in the middle of December?

Scotts Winterizer fertilizer

Public Comments

1. No problem it is summer here...
2. It would be a waste. If there is a warm spell between now and Springtime (and there will be) the fertilizer will release and do nothing. You will have nothing left when March rolls around. Best to fertilize about the same time you plant (if you're thinking of planting). Got this info from a man in the know at Southern States Farmer's Cooperative.
3. Yes, winterizer is good during winter. It helps them work on their root system.
4. Depends on your location. If you're in a warm climate that hasn't had a good frost yet, and the grass is still growing, then yes you can. However, if you are in an area that is in full blown winter conditions (snow, very cold frosty nights) then no you shouldn't. Winter fertilizer is meant to be put down in the fall before the grass "shuts down" for the winter, usually around the first of October. This will allow the grass to take up all of the nutrients available and store them through winter, and use them when the spring growing season begins. It won't hurt the lawn to not use the winter fert. at this time. Hold on to it and use it next Oct. When spring rolls around buy a new bag of fert. One that has a higher nitrogen content like a 26 - 6 - 6 or equivalent. Apply this to the lawn to help it get started, and to give it a quick jump on the growing season.To use this winter fert now would be a waste. The grass could not use it before it is leached from the soil.. Hope this helps you.
5. in the northern hemisphere? read the bag
6. the best thing to put down in the winter is manure. to many chems. can "burn" your soil. using them in winter can be to much. like to much food on the table,with not enough people to eat it.
7. yes u can, but u need to take care of the quantity and the type of plants you need to put.
8. Rock, You can put down the winterizer now and I actually would recommend it if you didnt put down one in the fall. Contrary to what has been stated in replies most winterizers have more potash and pottasium than Nitrogen. The nitrogen is for top growth while the other 2 work on the grass roots. Also some winterizers come with a pre-emergent herbicide to help prevent new weed gestation in early spring. So go for it. It wont hurt a thing.
9. What "Doc" said. The "winterizer" might best be applied in the fall, but if you are in a warm, coastal area where there are very few if any hard freezes, now is OK. If you are concerned about chemical buildup over the years, I would stay away from Scotts products. I used them for years and they worked well, but I eventually had a number of soil diseases, insects and soil bugs to deal with. Most beneficial insects wouldn't give my lawns a second look and virtually all of the earthworms went away. That's when I chucked the chemical fertilizers and went to organics. My lawns look just fine and I have lots of healthy soil creatures keeping it that way.